Credit card company MBNA announced today that it is seeking the voluntary redundancy of 100 staff members at its base in Carrick-on-Shannon in Co Leitrim.
Bank of America, which owns MBNA, is trying to sell the business, which employs 700 people in Co Leitrim.
The bank wants to leave the Irish and UK credit card business as part of an effort to boost capital ratios by getting rid of non-core activities.
Local Fine Gael TD Frank Feighan said he is hopeful a buyer can be found and the jobs at MBNA, Bank of America’s credit card business, can be saved.
Mr Feighan said the Government and the IDA have been working to find a buyer and have received a number of expressions of interest.
“While I had hoped that a buyer would be found before any redundancies were announced, we are still very hopeful that the jobs in Carrick-on-Shannon will be saved," he said.
And he added a “number of positive expressions of interest” have been received from “high calibre” potential buyers by the Minister for Jobs Richard Bruton and the IDA.
A spokesman for the Minister said his primary concern was for the workers and their families “after what has already been a very tough few months for staff there”. He said all the supports of the relevant State agencies will be made available to them.